Tramp becomes facebook hero

Published: August 27, 2007 | 6681st good news item since 2003

You imagine celebrities to be living in the biggest houses with the fanciest cars and the latest clothes but in Bournemouth, the local star lives on the street, has no possessions except a dirty old coat and is a tramp.

Gordon Roberts, 78 known locally as Gordon the Tramp has become a local hero because of his amazing time-telling skills.

Despite not owning a watch, Gordon is always able to accurately predict the time. This talent has earned him his own catchphrase, “What’s the time Gordon?”

His popularity has rocketed since university student, Chris Kimber, 24 set up a Facebook page to pay homage to him.

The description reads: “Gordon the Tramp, possibly the most famous person in all of Bournemouth. “This is a fan club for Gordon, share with us your memories of him, and stories alike.”

In just over two months over 5000 members from all over the world including Canada, Australia and Qatar have joined up.

Site creator Chris said: “I thought it would be a bit of fun to set up a Facebook group for my friends.

“But within a week or so I was getting 100 people signing up a day and then it rose to 200 a day.

“I couldn’t believe how many people knew him.

“There are even people from Australia and America who have joined – they have never even met him.

“I never expected it to get this big, it’s incredible.”

Fans have uploaded dozens of photographs of them posing with Gordon and have posted more than 500 comments with their stories of the eccentric tramp.

James Horton, from Plymouth, said: “He should run for mayor of Bournemouth. I would vote.”

Kiran Morjaria, from Portsmouth said: ” To this day I can still seriously not work out how he knows the time whenever you ask him and there isn’t a clock nearby…..the man doesn’t even own a watch!”

And Tim Stewart said: “Gordon…what a time-telling legend.”

Gordon, who has lived in Bournemouth for 20 years is even helping boost the tourist industry in the seaside town with people from London, Nottingham and Ireland all travelling down to meet the town’s most famous resident.

Curtis Allen, 19 who lives in Bournemouth said: “He is a local star, everyone knows Gordon.

“He just wanders around the town and when people ask him the time, he tells them it and it’s always spot on. It’s strange because he just looks at his arm where a watch should be and just knows the time. No one can figure out how he does it.”

But the new stardom has not affected Gordon. He is overwhelmed by the support he has received on facebook despite not owning a computer to see it first hand.

When asked about his new found fame, Gordon said: “I heard about it, but I don’t know much about it.

“I tell the time but sometimes I get it wrong.”

He also told Facebook page creator, Chris Kimber that he was “well chuffed” and sends everyone on the site his best wishes.